Parenting Classes are required for all divorcing couples who have minor children
The State of Tennessee requires all divorcing parents to complete a parent education course. In Knox County the course you take will depend on the court in which you plan to file. If your divorce is field in Chancery Court, the minimum 4 hour course from any certified provider is acceptable. If you file in Fourth Circuit Court then local rules require you to complete a 12 hour Parent Education course from one of the following providers. The experience you get in the 12 hour course is far superior to the 4 hour course. Your children are worth the extra 8 hours of your time. You should start the course as soon as you know you plan to file for divorce.
Dove Services - Lifebridge, 865-804-1372, lifebridgeknoxville@live.com
I have attended one of their courses and was impressed by the content and facilities. The instructor is willing to schedule private classes by request and though it is recommended that couples do not attend the same seminar this instructor is willing to consider those requests. They offer both the 4 and 12 hour course.
Steps Co-parenting Divorce Education, 865-981-7900 Stpes offers both the 4 and 12 hour course. Their website shows the schedule, discusses their philosophy, and allows you to pay online. You will need to call or e-mail to actually sign up for the class. They make it easy to schedule missed classes and are extremely child centered.
Downtown YWCA Parenting Classes, 865-523-6176 You will need to call to get the schedule and sign up. They fill up pretty quickly because they answer the phone when you call. They only offer the 12 hour course.
Integrous Counseling Center, 865-521-0008 I attended one of their sessions and found it led by an energetic and engaging presenter who disappointed me by making several inappropriate and offensive anti-gay remarks. The facilities are also quite cramped.
Parent Place Parenting Program, 544-0577 Their website does not have any information about their classes, you will need to call them to get more information and sign up.
Child & Family Tennessee, 524-7483, The website does not contain any information about their parenting classes and they did not return my call so I do not know if they still offer classes.
The 12 hour courses typically meet once a week, 3 hours at a time, for four weeks. Sessions are priced between $60 and $80 for the complete 12 hour class. If you are indigent and cannot afford to pay for the course you may file a motion with the court for reduced fee or free course tuition.
Pellissippi State Community College, 539-7167 They offer the 4-hour class that is approved for both Blount & Knox County. Classes are typically offered once monthly on Thursday evenings at the Magnolia Avenue and Pellissippi Campuses, and Saturday mornings at the Pellissippi Campus. Call to register, $40.
Which Court Should I Use? Which Class Should I Take?
Many couples, once learning about this distinction, say they prefer to file in Chancery Court to avoid the extra hours of the parenting course. However, your attorney may have better reasons for choosing which court to file in, and Judge Swann, who orders the more complete course, makes a convincing argument for why children of divorcing parents will be better served if their parents receive more education. These courses are not about "how to parent" rather they teach you how children react to divorce and how normal communication between children and parents can become a source of stress and conflict for a child. Comments that used to seem innocuous when both parents lived together, like "Welcome home, I missed you," or "Did you and Daddy have fun?" now place emotional burdens on children in a divorce situation. It is important you understand these effects in order to protect your children as much as possible from the inevitable disruption that divorce creates in their lives.
Here is Judge Swann's article that explains the benefits of the 12 hour parenting course.
Download the State of Tennessee Parenting Plan Form Here
Click here for the Child Support Calculator and answers to your child support questions.
Dove Services - Lifebridge, 865-804-1372, lifebridgeknoxville@live.com
I have attended one of their courses and was impressed by the content and facilities. The instructor is willing to schedule private classes by request and though it is recommended that couples do not attend the same seminar this instructor is willing to consider those requests. They offer both the 4 and 12 hour course.
Steps Co-parenting Divorce Education, 865-981-7900 Stpes offers both the 4 and 12 hour course. Their website shows the schedule, discusses their philosophy, and allows you to pay online. You will need to call or e-mail to actually sign up for the class. They make it easy to schedule missed classes and are extremely child centered.
Downtown YWCA Parenting Classes, 865-523-6176 You will need to call to get the schedule and sign up. They fill up pretty quickly because they answer the phone when you call. They only offer the 12 hour course.
Integrous Counseling Center, 865-521-0008 I attended one of their sessions and found it led by an energetic and engaging presenter who disappointed me by making several inappropriate and offensive anti-gay remarks. The facilities are also quite cramped.
Parent Place Parenting Program, 544-0577 Their website does not have any information about their classes, you will need to call them to get more information and sign up.
Child & Family Tennessee, 524-7483, The website does not contain any information about their parenting classes and they did not return my call so I do not know if they still offer classes.
The 12 hour courses typically meet once a week, 3 hours at a time, for four weeks. Sessions are priced between $60 and $80 for the complete 12 hour class. If you are indigent and cannot afford to pay for the course you may file a motion with the court for reduced fee or free course tuition.
Pellissippi State Community College, 539-7167 They offer the 4-hour class that is approved for both Blount & Knox County. Classes are typically offered once monthly on Thursday evenings at the Magnolia Avenue and Pellissippi Campuses, and Saturday mornings at the Pellissippi Campus. Call to register, $40.
Which Court Should I Use? Which Class Should I Take?
Many couples, once learning about this distinction, say they prefer to file in Chancery Court to avoid the extra hours of the parenting course. However, your attorney may have better reasons for choosing which court to file in, and Judge Swann, who orders the more complete course, makes a convincing argument for why children of divorcing parents will be better served if their parents receive more education. These courses are not about "how to parent" rather they teach you how children react to divorce and how normal communication between children and parents can become a source of stress and conflict for a child. Comments that used to seem innocuous when both parents lived together, like "Welcome home, I missed you," or "Did you and Daddy have fun?" now place emotional burdens on children in a divorce situation. It is important you understand these effects in order to protect your children as much as possible from the inevitable disruption that divorce creates in their lives.
Here is Judge Swann's article that explains the benefits of the 12 hour parenting course.
Download the State of Tennessee Parenting Plan Form Here
Click here for the Child Support Calculator and answers to your child support questions.
Parent Education courses should be completed as soon as possible - even before you file.
It took some time for you to decide to divorce your spouse. That means your children have already been exposed to the tension, negativity, and breakdowns in communication between their parents - even though you think you can hide it. Ideally you should complete your Parent Education prior to mediation as it will help you design a stronger co-parenting agreement. Because couples learn communication skills in this course it has sometimes lead to reconciliation - however that is not a goal of the class.
